Kidney

LRI researchers are on the hunt for answers for the approximately 33 percent of people with lupus whose kidneys are attacked in lupus.

“The state of the art now is unfortunately a catch-up game. We start treating someone after they have the disease, but if we can diagnose it earlier, we can test therapeutic modalities that are less toxic and more likely to have an effect earlier in the disease process.”

– Elahna Paul, MD, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital

Biomarkers (early markers) of kidney involvement
Three LRI researchers are looking at biomarkers that might signal the development or worsening of kidney disease through a simple blood or urine test—rather than grueling and often hazardous kidney biopsies.

Diagnosis
"This project directly addresses the difficulties that I (and all nephrologists) face when trying to decide how much immunosuppression patients with kidney disease need. The funding will be invaluable in giving me the opportunity to bring together expertise from radiology, chemistry, and other specialties. I think it will really permit us to develop a new and powerful diagnostic tool for lupus kidney disease." – Joshua Thurman, MD